Mahavishnu Orchestra
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(1970 – 1976, 1984 – 1987)
The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz-rock fusion group that debuted in 1970 and dissolved in 1976, reuniting briefly from 1984 to 1987.
In its first version, the band was led by “Mahavishnu” John McLaughlin on acoustic and electric guitars, with members Billy Cobham on drums, Rick Laird on electric and acoustic bass, Jan Hammer on electric and acoustic piano, and Jerry Goodman on violin. The group is best known for their two most popular albums: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds Of Fire (1973).
From 1974 through 1976, personnel included Jean-Luc Ponty on violin, Narada Michael Walden on drums and vocals, Gayle Moran (Chick Corea’s wife and musical partner during the 70’s) on vocals and keyboards, and Ralph Armstrong on bass, among others. This second incarnation of the group explored orchestral arrangements, as well as more mainstream funk and R&B grooves added to the mix.
This group was considered an important pioneer in the jazz fusion movement that was founded by Miles Davis. McLaughlin and Cobham met while performing and recording with Davis. McLaughlin was also influenced in his conception of the band by his studies with Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who encouraged him to take the name “Mahavishnu.”
McLaughlin had particular ideas for the instrumentation of the group, in keeping with his highly original concept of genre-blending in composition. He particularly wanted a violinist. As the group evolved, McLaughlin adopted what became his trademark double-neck guitar (six-string and twelve-string), and Hammer added a Moog synthesizer, which enabled him to bend notes, mimicking the phrasing of McLaughlin’s guitar.
In its first version, the band was led by “Mahavishnu” John McLaughlin on acoustic and electric guitars, with members Billy Cobham on drums, Rick Laird on electric and acoustic bass, Jan Hammer on electric and acoustic piano, and Jerry Goodman on violin. The group is best known for their two most popular albums: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds Of Fire (1973).
From 1974 through 1976, personnel included Jean-Luc Ponty on violin, Narada Michael Walden on drums and vocals, Gayle Moran (Chick Corea’s wife and musical partner during the 70’s) on vocals and keyboards, and Ralph Armstrong on bass, among others. This second incarnation of the group explored orchestral arrangements, as well as more mainstream funk and R&B grooves added to the mix.
This group was considered an important pioneer in the jazz fusion movement that was founded by Miles Davis. McLaughlin and Cobham met while performing and recording with Davis. McLaughlin was also influenced in his conception of the band by his studies with Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who encouraged him to take the name “Mahavishnu.”
McLaughlin had particular ideas for the instrumentation of the group, in keeping with his highly original concept of genre-blending in composition. He particularly wanted a violinist. As the group evolved, McLaughlin adopted what became his trademark double-neck guitar (six-string and twelve-string), and Hammer added a Moog synthesizer, which enabled him to bend notes, mimicking the phrasing of McLaughlin’s guitar.
Shouts:
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Top Albums
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Between Nothingness & Eternity
Mahavishnu Orchestra
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Birds Of Fire
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The Inner Mounting Flame
Mahavishnu Orchestra Buy- Download Album
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Visions of the Emerald Beyond
Mahavishnu Orchestra Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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CasiniProjekt wrote:
Hey, please check out my music, its free! http://cassiniprojekt.bandcamp.com/ or http://www.last.fm/music/The+Cassini+Projekt/Blind+Vision Also check out my new music video, I did the CG http://youtu.be/wL5A88cuxwY
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hydemascarada wrote:
YOU KNOW!
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tsayen wrote:
you know you know [2]
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demonoman77 wrote:
you know you know
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bloomindaedalus wrote:
we sooo want to be weird and daring but alas we're just squares
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Dysrianism wrote:
got visions of the emerald beyond on vinyl just the other day, sounds INCREDIBLE
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SilverSteelLady wrote:
Inner Mounting Flame is ridiculously awesome. [2]
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Clayton09 wrote:
About halfway through my first listen of Birds of Fire and I think I might be hooked on this band.
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NWG369 wrote:
Inner Mounting Flame is ridiculously awesome.
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MusicMagic77 wrote:
If you like the sound of the electric violin, back in time you may listen Jerry Goodman in his previous band, The Flock
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MusicMagic77 wrote:
My vote for the best album = Wild Strings (Live in Cleveland, 1972)
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Nemesisandhell wrote:
¡Super grandes!
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knotrice wrote:
visions of the emerald beyond is fantastic
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Sergio_Paez wrote:
Grandes!
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MJabbur wrote:
I'm hooked on The Inner Moungint Flame. A worderful album"
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Ex-bluesbreaker wrote:
Gods!
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Sparkhelix wrote:
sounds a lot like peanut brittle satellite
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hookbags wrote:
Birds of Fire is My favourite Mahavishnu Orchestra album.
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hookbags wrote:
Mars Volta are not in the same league as Mahavishnu Orchestra. Neue Regal sounds like some sort of bigot.
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Neue_regel_ wrote:
Plsu, boasting a big brain as you 'name' implies, doesn't necessarily help because the Quality comes first. Elephants for example have 10 pounds of brain but they are more stupid than a 2- year old toddler. Duh
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humorbot wrote about Mahavishnu Orchestra – Birds Of Fire in Albums I Own.. yesterday evening
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